Brian Dettman | Louisville Personal Injury Lawyer

I recently represented a few individuals that were able to take settlement money and buy/pay off a house. My clients often suffer catastrophic injuries and it is pretty awesome to be able to put the pieces back together. Holding the defendant and insurance company accountable for full value of each and every case helps me get results.

A lawyer should be willing to try cases in front of a jury. There are plenty of advertising lawyers that are afraid of court. Or that have the wrong financial incentive package for their associates that makes cases settle cheap and fast. I think there is value to litigating cases and swinging at an insurance company if they won't pay enough. I also realize that I'm in the customer service business. Plenty of lawyers treat their clients as commodities. That doesn't end up beneficial for anyone. I've always given attention to every case that comes in the door.

A mix of aggressiveness, confidence, spitefulness, fearlessness, and good judgment. You want to make sure your lawyer is acting in your best interests and not trying to meet a monthly quota or cover their overhead.

The jury on your case will be made up of twelve local individuals. Knowing the different areas of town helps in determining how to proceed when choosing a jury. It is also helpful to know the local roadways for car crash cases. Knowing the different lawyers on the other side, tendencies of juries, and insurance adjusters helps one know what pressure points to apply to a particular case.

In an initial phone call we will discuss 1) any questions the client has about myself/the firm and 2) what to expect from the process. We will go over the crash, liability, treatment, pain and suffering, injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and a variety of other topics related to your case or claim.

An initial consultation over the phone or in person is always free at Dettman Law. You will speak direct with an attorney. It is more of a conversation about your case than anything. I want to make sure I have all the facts to give sound legal advice.

I'm uniquely situated where I'm not too big and I'm not too small. I don't take orders from anyone which gives me the ability to make wise decisions that benefit my clients. I also do both aspects of personal injury law: pre-litigation and litigation. Some lawyers only do one of those and farm out cases for litigation.

Two things come to mind: hearing relief in my clients voice and giving them the check at the end of their case. A personal injury lawyer is a "money lawyer." My job is to get my clients compensated. Simple as that.

I am a father of five and a husband. We play a lot of sports and I like coaching my kids. I also play ice hockey in a local league. When I can my favorite activity is surfing.

I am involved in the community mainly through programs that support foster care and adoption.

• Business Networking International | Member | 2015 - Present
  Southern District of Indiana | Admitted to Practice | 2015 - Present
  Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2015 - Present
  Western District of Kentucky | Admitted to Practice | 2015 - Present
  American Association for Justice | Member | 2014 - Present

• Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 | American Society of Legal Advocates | 2017
  Top 40 Under 40 | National Trial Lawyers | 2017
  Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers | Three Best Rated | 2016
  Top 20 Experts | Expertise | 2016
  Rising Stars | Super Lawyers | 2015

• Brown v. Zach Brothers
  Premises Liability - The plaintiff tripped in a gas station parking lot and broke her elbow – a Munfordville jury awarded the plaintiff $85,000 in special damages, but just $7,500 for her pain and suffering Brown v. Zack Brothers Truck Stop, 14-31 Plaintiff: Brian R. Dettman, Dettman & Associates, Louisville Defense: Thomas L. Travis and L. Tucker Willis, Ward Hocker & Thornton, Lexington Verdict: $93,615 for plaintiff less 30% comparative fault Court: Hart, J. Simms, 2-23-16 Sherie Brown, then age 51, was a patron on 12-30-13 at the Zack Brothers Truck Stop in Horse Cave. She arrived early that morning with her husband and planned to go inside and eat – she is a diabetic and observes a strict eating schedule. As Brown left the truck stop, she approached her husband’s big rig. He’s an over-the-road trucker and she accompanies him on his trips. Brown (who was carrying a cup of coffee) caught her left foot in an inch and a half deep crack in the pavement some ten feet from the door. Brown tripped and fell forward several feet. She landed on her elbow and fractured it. The fracture was surgically repaired at U of L Hospital. Despite a course of physical therapy, Brown has continued to complain of pain. There was also proof she will require a second surgery to remove hardware from the initial repair. The injuries were confirmed by the treating Dr. David Seligson, Orthopedics, Louisville. In this lawsuit Brown alleged negligence by Zack Brothers in failing to maintain the parking lot. She cited proof that the current owner (who has had the property for eight years) hadn’t done any resurfacing, inspection or repairs. If she prevailed she sought her medicals of $60,815 plus $50,000 more for future care. The jury could also award her $500,000 for past and future suffering in two categories. Zack Brothers denied fault and blamed the fall on Brown’s own inattention. To the crack itself, the defense suggested it was, (1) open and obvious, and (2) of the normal variety that one would observe on any paved surface. A defense IME, Dr. Rick Lyons, Orthopedics, Lexington, disputed the need for a future surgery. This case was tried for two days in Munfordville. The jury first found that Zack Brothers had failed to exercise ordinary care to maintain its premises. The jury also found Brown at fault. The fault was then apportioned 70% to the truck stop and the remaining 30% to Brown. Turning to damages Brown took her medicals as claimed plus $25,000 for future care. She was awarded $5,000 for past suffering and $2,500 more for in the future. The raw verdict totaled $93,615. It was reduced by comparative fault in the court’s judgment to $65,320. The defense offer of judgment before trial had been for $45,000. Read from documents in Brown v. Zack Brothers Truck Stop:

• SSRN | Curd v. Mosaic: Establishing a Property Right in Fish and Legitimately Assessing Value for Their Destruction | 2010

Brian Robert Dettman has been a Premium Member since February 06, 2024.
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